SIOUX FALLS, SD – Another successful season for the University of Mary came to a close earlier than hoped in the semifinals of the Northen Sun women's tennis tournament. Facing off against Minnesota State University for a chance to advance to the conference championship, the Marauders dropped a tight 4-2 match to the Mavericks.
 
The Marauders and Mavericks finished the regular season in a tie for second place in the NSIC. UMary earned the second seed due to a win over Minnesota State earlier in the regular season but the Mavericks found a way to claim victory in the postseason.
 
"I am very proud of how my athletes gave it their all today and never gave up," said Marauders head coach Vida Saliendra. "Emily Needham, Luba Moyo and Maria Estinvil all played through pain today for their teammates and the University of Mary."
 
Today was the final UMary match for Saliendra as she is retiring at the conclusion of the season. Saliendra earned 102 wins in her 12 years leading the Marauders program.
 
The Mavericks opened the day strong, earning the team point for doubles after claiming a pair of wins at #1 and #3 doubles.
 
After Minnesota State followed with wins in #1 and #6 singles to forge a 3-0 lead, the Marauders got back in the chase with wins by Hala Hossam Awad and Illona Freitag.
 
Hossam Awad captured #2 singles in straight sets over Chiara Carnelutti 6-2, 6-3. Freitag then rallied past Avery Stillwell to win in the third set. After falling 6-4 in the first set, Freitag came back to take set two 6-2 before taking the tiebreaker 6-2 in the third set and pulling the Marauders within 3-2.
 
In a grueling three set match in #5 singles, Needham gave it her all but came up just short. Dropping a tight first set to Elizabeth Felderman 4-6, Needham pulled out the second set 6-2. Felderman then narrowly edged Needham 6-4 in the third set tiebreaker to secure the win for Minnesota State.
 
Estinvil was closing on a win in #4 singles but the match was left unfinished after the Mavericks claimed the fourth and final win needed. Estinvil was leading 4-6, 6-3, 4-1 when the day concluded.
 
The Marauders finish the season 9-7 overall.
 
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